UN forces launch assault on Gbagbo stronghold in Abidjan

United Nations forces have launched their largest operation so far in the Ivory Coast, aimed dislodging presidential incumbent Laurent Gbagbo from his strongholds in Abidjan.

Laurent GbagboPhoto: AP

By Aislinn Laing in Abidjan

12:32PM BST 11 Apr 2011

Long bursts of their gunfire and rocket explosions could be heard soon after two French helicopter gunships took off from their base in the south of the city.

French military columns, made up of armoured personnel carriers, reconnaissance vehicles, trucks and 24 tanks, assembled along the main route out of the base at around 4am.

Major Frederick Daguillon, spokesman for the 1,700 strong French force in the Ivory Coast, remained tight lipped about their mission. But he said the option was intended "to stop a bloodbath."

A spokesman for Alessane Ouattara, who won an internationally-recognised election winner in November, said troops loyal to the president-elect were fighting alongside French and UN forces to "neutralise" the threat from Mr Gbagbo's forces.

He said their targets were the presidential palace in the business district of Plateau, and the presidential residence where Mr Gbagbo is hiding in Cocody, which they attacked from the air last night.

"It is the biggest joint ground assault since this conflict started," he said. "This time it will not stop if Mr Gbagbo asks for a ceasefire as he did last time. It will continue until he steps down or at least until he is pushed back into his residence. If he wants to stay there like a prisoner then he can."

Henri Guaino, a special adviser for Nicolas Sarkozy, confirmed France's involvement in the operation which started on Sunday but said it the mission was not intended "to chase Mr Gbagbo out militarily."

French Gazelle helicopters and United Nations Mi24 gunships flown by Ukrainian pilots had also executed operations last night, and the sound of machine gun and rocket fire reverberated around the city for several hours last night.

There were reports that part of Mr Gbagbo's residence was destroyed and sources in the area said that street fighting continued today, with snipers thought to be fighting for Mr Gbagbo making their presence felt.

Ban Ki-Moon, the UN Chief, said the 65-year-old strongman had used a ceasefire last Tuesday to regroup and redeploy his forces.

He said that on Thursday, Mr Gbagbo had sent armoured personnel carriers mounted with machine guns to attack civilians in Adjame and Attecoube close to Cocody, home to the presidential residence.

The attack forced 200 people to seeking sanctuary at the UN headquarters. The mission treated 50 wounded civilians.

Mr Gbagbo's troops then attacked the UN headquarters, and the Golf Hotel, where Alassane Ouattara, the internationally-recognised winner of November's elections, is currently based.

"These actions are unacceptable and cannot continue," he said.

"Civilians are bearing the brunt of the violence – the fighting must stop. Mr Gbagbo needs to step aside immediately."